how long should i cook bacon in the oven
You’ll get the best oven bacon by baking it at 400°F (200°C) for about 12–20 minutes, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it.
How long to cook bacon in the oven
For a standard, preheated oven:
- Temperature: 400°F (200°C).
- Regular/thin-cut bacon: Start checking at 10–12 minutes; it usually finishes between 12–18 minutes.
- Thick-cut bacon: Expect around 18–22 minutes; begin checking near 16 minutes.
- Texture guide at 400°F:
- Soft/chewy: roughly 12–14 minutes.
* Crispy: about 14–18 minutes.
* Extra crispy: up to ~20 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.
A good rule of thumb: start checking early (around 10–12 minutes), then keep an eye on it every 2–3 minutes because bacon goes from perfect to burnt fast.
Simple step‑by‑step (hands‑off method)
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil for easier cleanup.
- Lay bacon in a single layer; edges can touch but don’t overlap much.
- Bake:
- Thin bacon: start checking at 10 minutes.
* Regular/thick: start checking at 12 minutes.
- When it’s just a bit less crisp than you want, pull it out (it crisps slightly as it cools).
- Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to soak up extra grease.
Little “pro” details people argue about in forums
- Rack vs. no rack:
- With rack: less greasy strips, more air circulation, but a pain to scrub.
* No rack: easier cleanup with parchment/foil; bacon sits in some of its fat and often tastes richer.
- Flipping or not:
- Most oven methods say you don’t need to flip ; the dry oven heat cooks both sides.
* Some folks still flip halfway out of habit, which can help if your oven heats unevenly.
- Other temps you’ll see discussed:
- 400°F for about 14–18 minutes is the most common “sweet spot.”
* 425°F for 12–14 minutes if you want it faster, but it’s easier to burn.
* Some recipes go lower (around 350°F) for 30+ minutes for very gentle cooking, but that’s less common for everyday use.
A typical forum-style opinion you’ll often see is:
“I preheat to 400, line my tray with parchment, and cook for about 15 minutes. After that, I just watch it—best bacon ever, and no stovetop splatter.”
Quick reference table (time vs. texture at 400°F)
| Bacon type | Desired texture | Approx. time range |
|---|---|---|
| Thin-cut | Soft/chewy | 10–12 minutes (start checking at 10) |
| Thin-cut | Crispy | 12–15 minutes |
| Regular cut | Soft/chewy | 12–14 minutes |
| Regular cut | Crispy | 14–18 minutes |
| Thick-cut | Crispy | 18–22 minutes |
SEO-style meta description
Wondering how long should I cook bacon in the oven? Bake bacon at 400°F for about 12–20 minutes, adjusting for thickness and crispiness, for perfectly even, low‑mess results.
TL;DR: Preheat to 400°F, bake bacon 12–20 minutes depending on thickness, and start checking early so it hits your ideal level of crisp without burning.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
